Thornton Township To Push For Nobel Peace Prize For Charleston, S.C., Church
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A group from the south suburbs has traveled to Charleston, South Carolina, to propose the city and one of its churches be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Representatives from Thornton Township said they believe the reaction of the city of Charleston and the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after a hate-fueled mass murder in June qualifies them for the prize.
It was a response of love and peace to a crime allegedly committed by a white supremacist who targeted the predominantly black church, opening fire at a bible study session on June 17, killing nine people.
Dylann Storm Roof has been charged with nine counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. At a bond hearing after the mass shooting, one grief-stricken relative after another prayed for forgiveness for Roof.
"We are the family that love built. We have no room for hate. We have to forgive," said the sister of one victim.
The daughter of 70-year-old church sexton Ethel Lee Lance told Roof "you hurt me, you hurt all our people, but God forgives you, and I forgive you."
Representatives of Thornton Township said that response is worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize.